am I going to be in trouble?

RedZeppelinRN · May 2, 2008

I have heard of surveyors calling nurses at home. But the calls were made with the facility's knowledge, and the nusre in question only worked weekends.

When my DON would not answer my phone calls about a dangerously ill patient and other problems at the facility, I called the DOH and report up a report. I received a letter from them that what I reported was validated and the facility was cited. Before the investigation was over, the surveyor called me at home and had me come into a conference room to discuss matters of the report. I didn't know what to make of this.

Red

RedZeppelinRN · May 2, 2008

When my DON would not answer my phone calls about a dangerously ill patient and other problems at the facility, I called the DOH and report up a report. I received a letter from them that what I reported was validated and the facility was cited. Before the investigation was over, the surveyor called me at home and had me come into a conference room to discuss matters of the report. I didn't know what to make of this.
Red

Sorry about the above confusing message. Was trying to edit it and started having trouble. I have emailed the administrator about how to do the edit. Thanks.

Red

deeDawntee, RN · May 2, 2008

Don't panic. Keep your wits about you. You are going to get through this. It is strikingly obvious that you did nothing abusive or neglectful. There is NOTHING over which they can sue you are take away your license. You may find however, that working for that DON and in that facility is not for you, depending on how this works out.

Be confident in your actions. I have no doubt that this will all turn out fine.

:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · May 2, 2008

In fact, I don't even give that job my true telephone number for reasons such as this and many others.

Seriously, you don't give your job your phone number? How does that work for you? I've been fantasizing about this for YEARS! :yeah:

bollweevil · May 2, 2008

I have NEVER heard of then calling staff at home. That could have been anyone on the line. I hope you did NOT give then any information. Call your DON now. I
don't see where you did anything wrong with your resident-sometimes if the fracture is not displaced they won't have pain initially.
It's up to your administration to investigate the incident and report to the DOH.If the DOH wants to interview staff they do it in the facility. I've seen situations in which family members have pretended to be "with the state" or legal representation to intimidate staff for information/I hope this is not the case. Please keep us posted.Good Luck-it is unbelievable if the surveyors think calling you at home is appropriate.

This happened to me once, that is, a phone call from an investigator who was with the state board. My boss told me to talk to her, so I did. I had no information anyway, only stuff I'd heard secondhand, so went on and related it. I don't think it was right but my boss is the one who put the call through and I knew I was not in any sort of trouble, so did it.

Doesn't seem like the right way to do it, though.

For OP: I hope you got the person's name (who called you) and will verify it by calling the Board today. Don't give your own name, call from other than your home or cell or work.

bollweevil · May 2, 2008

guys, what should i do? i'm so stupid, stupid stupid!!!! :banghead::banghead::banghead: i told that surveyor what had happened, i told her that i heard her cry, went into her room, assessed her, put her back to w/c and notified the nurse. i told her absolutely everything when a lady who i was talking to might be a lawyer!!!! and i just notified a charge nurse but i didnt chart that i notfied her!!!! that nurse did write an incident report and wrote in nurses note describing the incident. but i'm so stupid of me not to chart that!!! i just checked my license in the state website for any formal complaints but there are none now but they can file complaint after investigation right? and if the lady i was talking to was a lawyer then they are going to sue me???? if they do decide to sue me i wonder when its going to happen. and i wonder if there is going to be a discipline with my license? ahhhh

you can and should chart a late entry. do it exactly per your facility's policy and procedure manual.

boards don't discipline licensees for just anything. you have to have done something wrong, have a chance to defend yourself, they must prove you caused harm, there has to even be harm in the first place. what did you do except what a prudent nurse would do?

take a deep breath, talk with a private attorney or 2, write down the whole incident, write down what you did right, what you think you should not have done, keep this whole written thing private. don't even show the lawyer or mention it. the writing is strictly therapeutic for you.

but don't accept such calls ever again. this kind of "interview" needs to be done in person, on the job, with your boss' approval and directive to have it done.

bollweevil · May 2, 2008

Take a deep breath - it sounds to me like you did everything right. As for the state calling you at home, make sure your DON knows about the call, date, time and who you think you spoke with. Get on your computer and type up everything you can remember about the phone call and the incident so that you have something you can refer that was written while your memory is still fairly fresh.
As far as lying to the state - NEVER, NEVER, NEVER try to cover your butt. It is too easy to screw yourself up in trying to cover up a lie or a mistake. In your best interest, the best interest of your patient and your license - always tell the truth. If you make a mistake, cop to it and create a plan that you can show to your boss or whoever, what you are going to do to prevent yourself from making that mistake again. It will show that you are honest if you don't try to hide it from the beginning. If they can believe you are telling them the truth from the beginning, they are less likely to work so hard at trying to trip you up later.
Last, but not least, keep a record for yourself of all unusual incidents at work with as much detail as possible. You need to document these things while they are still fresh in your mind with as much detail as possible and keep it in your personal files. That way if there are ever questions, you can refer back to your own notes. Just don't put patient names on your notes, just MR #'s and maybe DOB.
Good luck and keep us informed.

If she keeps such a record, she should never, ever tell anyone she does so, as it could be subpoenaed as evidence.

TrickieTam · May 2, 2008

State surveyors have called me numerous times at home and several other members of staff where I work. I too went into a room of a resident which had fell on the floor and broke her hip. State called and before speaking my DON told me to be honest and provide information asked. My DON eas present with surveyor via speaker and it went smoothly. Other times DON was not present and had to stand on my own. My facility gets frequent state inspections due to complaints and I get phone calls regularly. State has to call most staff because they are either PRN or Baylor such as myself. Surveyors typically visit during the week and I am not coming in til saturday.

linzz · May 2, 2008

Hey MsRN, stop beating yourself up and let us know how it worked out. Sending you good vibes.

KarynicaRN · May 6, 2008

please whatever you do, don't lie. don't try to cover it over because it will come back. i had a situation in a mental health hospital arise (a recipient died after having 17 teeth extracted in one day). i was part of the team that was administering cpr. a state evaluator called me to ask about my part in the crisis. she identified herself and her title with the agency, gave me a phone number to call. (caller id picked up her agency name) she asked me several questions. it's not unusual for an agency to call after something comes into question.